Adaptive pet containment system and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an automatic correction system and technique for a pet containment system in which the correction levels of the electrical stimulus and/or audio or visual warning are adaptively adjusted in accordance with the behavior of a particular dog or other animal. In one mode of operation, the system is set to a baseline correction level at which a predetermined warning such as an audible beep is provided when the animal enters a first detection zone, and a predetermined electrical stimulus is provided when the animal enters a second detection zone. The correction levels are automatically adjusted in response to one or more parameters of the animal&#39;s behavior. One example of animal behavior to be corrected is repeated challenge by the animal to the system by repeated entry into the first or second detection zone within a defined period of time. Another example of behavior to be corrected is the animal remaining in a detection zone beyond a specified time period. Yet another example is the animal escaping from the defined perimeter. The system can automatically adjust the warning, the electrical stimulus or both. The auto-correction system is embodied as part of the receiver which is typically worn by the animal on a collar. The parameters of the auto-correction program can be set by control data transmitted to the receiver by the system transmitter. According to another aspect of the invention, data can be downloaded from the receiver for providing status and performance information. The receiver can be interrogated via a remote control device for example, to obtain the status data. A display or indicator can be provided at the receiver or can be associated with the receiver for display of system status.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/298,278 filed on Jun. 14, 2001; thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pet containment systems are known for maintaining a dog or other animalwithin a defined area or to keep the animal outside of a defined area.Such a system includes a buried antenna wire which defines a perimeteror boundary across which the dog or other pet is trained to not cross.One well known system is the Hidden Fence System of DogWatch Inc. Atransmitter is connected to the buried antenna and which drives theantenna to radiate an electromagnetic field which is detectable by areceiver attached to an animal collar. The intensity of the transmissionor sensitivity of the receiver are adjusted to provide detection of theantenna field at predetermined distances from the antenna. Typically ina first zone of detection, the receiver senses a relatively weakerantenna field and provides an audible warning to the animal. At a seconddetection zone which is closer to the antenna, the receiver senses astronger antenna field and causes an electrical stimulus to be appliedto the animal as an indication to the animal that it is too close to theperimeter. By appropriate training the animal learns to stay away fromthe perimeter so as not to receive an electrical stimulus or audiblewarning. The intensity of the audible warning and intensity of theelectrical stimulus are set by an installer or in some cases by a userto accommodate the behavior of a particular animal. Adjustment of thecorrection levels often requires a visit by a system installer. It wouldbe useful to have a system in which the correction levels could beautomatically adjusted without need for a service call and without needfor user intervention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In brief, the present invention provides an automatic correction systemand technique for a pet containment system in which the correctionlevels of the electrical stimulus and/or audio or visual warning areadaptively adjusted in accordance with the behavior of a particular dogor other animal. In one mode of operation, the system is set to abaseline correction level at which a predetermined warning such as anaudible beep is provided when the animal enters a first detection zone,and a predetermined electrical stimulus is provided when the animalenters a second detection zone. The correction levels are automaticallyadjusted in response to one or more parameters of the animal's behavior.One example of animal behavior to be corrected is repeated challenge bythe animal to the system by repeated entry into the first or seconddetection zone within a defined period of time. Another example ofbehavior to be corrected is the animal remaining in a detection zonebeyond a specified time period. Yet another example is the animalescaping from the defined perimeter. The system can automatically adjustthe warning, the electrical stimulus or both.

For an audible warning, any one or more changes in the audible sound canbe provided, for example, the amplitude of the warning sound can beadjusted, and/or the rate or pitch of the sound can be adjusted. Theaudible warning can be a beep or a tone or a voice command. The voicecommand can be provided by a voice synthesizer or the vocalization canbe in the voice of the pet owner. For a visual warning, the intensity,rate or color of the visual indication can be changed. The changes canalso be with respect to an individual parameter or combination ofparameters. The electrical stimulus can be changed with respect to theintensity of the stimulus and/or the rate at which the stimulus isapplied. In principle, the auto-correction system can provide N levelsof adjustment and M rates of adjustment in various combinations. A baselevel is specified for the warning and for the electrical stimulus, andthe maximum level for each is also specified. The system is operative tocontrol and automatically or adaptively adjust any one or more of theadjustable parameters to suit the particular behavioral characteristicsof the animal.

The system can revert to a level appropriate to the animal's behavior.For example, the base level may be adjusted to a new base level inresponse to the animal behavior, and the level can be raised from thenew base level when appropriate. After a period of time at the raisedlevel, the level can revert to the lower new base level. One or moreauto-correction programs can be stored and selected by the system owner.The program can be changed by a user without dealer or servicetechnician intervention. The auto-correction mode can be enabled ordisabled by the user. In the disabled mode, the system functions withpredetermined parameters and without the adaptive correction.

The auto-correction system is embodied as part of the receiver which istypically worn by the animal on a collar. The parameters of theauto-correction program can be set by control data transmitted to thereceiver by the system transmitter or by a separate transmitter.

According to another aspect of the invention, data can be downloadedfrom the receiver for providing status and performance information. Thereceiver can be interrogated via a remote control device for example, toobtain the status data. A display or indicator can be provided at orassociated with the receiver or collar. Alternatively, the display orindicator can be on a remote device which is in wireless or wiredcommunication with the receiver. For example, a display or indication ofthe present level and rate of the warning and electrical stimulus can beprovided. The status of the battery can also be provided. The indicationcan be by sound, speech annunciation, display screen or other indicator.The indication of warning and electrical stimulus levels or rates andother status information can be denoted by LEDs, or can be displayed ona screen such as a screen of a palm type data device, PDA or the like.The current system status can be immediately displayed or stored forlater display or use and the history of system operation can bedisplayed and/or stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be further described in the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a pet containment system in which theinvention is employed;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the auto-correction process in accordance withthe invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts further illustrating the auto-correctionprocessing;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a display on the collarassociated with the receiver; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a display located on a remotedevice which is in communication with the receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A pet containment system in which the adaptive correction system andtechnique of the invention are employed is shown in FIG. 1 and includesa transmitter 10 coupled to a loop antenna 12 which is buried around theperimeter of a yard or other site in which a dog or other animal is tobe contained. A receiver 14 having an antenna 16 is enclosed within asmall waterproof housing affixed to a collar worn by the animal. Thereceiver is operative to detect radiation from the antenna and dependingon the proximity of the receiver from the antenna, the receiver willprovide a warning signal or a stimulus signal to the animal. The systemcan preferably be as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,698 of the Assignee ofthis invention.

The auto-correction system provides the lowest permissible level ofcorrection suitable to the conduct of the animal. The receiver isprogrammed to an initial level via a control device. Preferably as shownin U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,367 of the Assignee of this invention, theprogramming device is in the form of a magnet wand which provides theability to program the correction level to several different steps orintensities. The transmitter can also be initially adjusted to aspecified rate and the shock mode can be switched on or off. Over aperiod of time the receiver auto-correction system will adaptivelydetermine the lowest correction level that will effectively contain theanimal by monitoring the animal behavior and adaptively adjusting thecorrection level. The optimum correction level for the animal isdetermined by a set of heuristics programmed in the receivermicrocontroller firmware. Various heuristic correction protocols orprograms may be defined that take into account, for example, the presentcorrection level, the previous correction level, the time elapsed sincethe last challenge and the number of times the animal approaches orchallenges the boundary in a given time period.

The auto-correction process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2. A timeperiod is established by a timer, which counts down from the lastreceived signal (block 20 and 22). In the illustrated embodiment, thetime period is 24 hours. As denoted by decision block 21 if the signalwas received within the timer period, the correction is made (block 24)and the timer is reset (block 26). The correction is in the form of aincreased correction level to the warning signal, the stimulus signal orboth (block 28). If the 24 hour time period has expired, the correctionlevel is reduced (block 30) according to the stored auto-correctionprogram, thereby to establish a new base level.

More detailed flowcharts of the auto-correction process are shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. Referring to FIG. 3A, the timer counts down by apredetermined factor and the countdown is monitored to determine if thespecified time period has elapsed (block 40). The countdown factor inthe illustrated embodiment is the average sleep interval of the receiverwhich is a presently preferred embodiment is 238 msec. If the timeperiod has not elapsed (42), the system continues to monitor thecountdown (44). If the time period has elapsed without receipt of areceiver signal, the correction level is decreased by one correctionstep (46). If the correction level has been decremented to the lowestcorrection level, the correction level remains at the lowest level.

If a signal is received during the time period, the signal is processedto cause generation of a warning and/or stimulus to the animal, and thecounting is reset. If another signal is received before the time periodhas elapsed, the correction level is incremented to the next higherlevel to provide increased warning and/or stimulus to the animal. Theprocessing is illustrated in FIG. 3B. Referring to FIG. 3B, the systemdetermines whether the number of correction levels has been exceeded(50). If so, the correction level remains at the minimum level (56). Ifnot exceeded, a determination is made whether the last autocorrect timehas expired (52). If the autocorrect time has expired the timer is resetfor countdown of the specified time period (54). A determination is thenmade whether a rate modification is needed (58). If rate modification isneeded, the rate is increased to the next correction level (60). If norate modification is needed, a determination is made as to whether levelmodification is needed (62). If level modification is needed, the levelis increased to the next correction level (64).

A short delay or buffer period can be provided between detection of asignal caused by the animal challenging the perimeter and the provisionof a stimulus. The buffer period prevents the correction levels fromstepping up too rapidly in the event of two or more challenges duringthe buffer interval. The buffer period is provided by a timer and thesystem can be operative to provide a single correction step at the endof the buffer period irrespective of the number of detections receivedduring the buffer period.

The microprocessor is programmed to perform the autocorrect processingbased on a correction protocol which has been specified and stored inthe microprocessor memory. The processing to determine whetherauto-correction is needed and what correction is to be made occursduring the sleep interval. The warning and/or stimulus is provided basedon the most recent correction data.

One or more correction protocols can be provided which can be selectedby a user in accordance with particular animal behavior.

In use, the animal will receive increasing levels of correction if theanimal challenges the system often. The animal will receive lesscorrection if it rarely challenges the system so that the animal willtend to be corrected at a level as low as necessary to accomplish thegoal of discouraging challenge of the protection zone.

A sample correction protocol is as follows and which provides thespecified step-increase progression.

If the level is zero or if the shock mode is off, jump to level 1, rate1.

If the rate is between rate 1 and rate 2 then increase the rate by 1from the previous rate until rate 3 is reached.

If rate 3 is reached, increase the level from the previous level untillevel 3 is reached.

If level 3 is reached, then jump to level 4.

If level 4 is reached, then jump to level 5.

After a single challenge, the correction will be increased by one stepfor a time period of 24 hours. If another challenge occurs within the 24hour period, the correction will be increased an additional step and the24 hour time reset. Multiple challenges within the 24 hour time periodwill result in a rapid increase of the correction level from the initialvalue to a maximum level 5 or other maximum specified level.

According to another aspect of the invention, data can be downloadedfrom the receiver for providing status and performance information.Referring to FIG. 4, the receiver 100 can be interrogated by means of aremote transmitter 102 to provide output indications on a display device104 on the collar 106. The display can include one or more LEDs thebrightness and/or rate of illumination of which provide outputindications of status. Output indications can also be audibly providedby the speaker 108 associated with the receiver. The interrogationtransmitter 102 can be a small transmitter providing appropriate commandsignals to the receiver. Alternatively, the receiver can be interrogatedby command signals from the system transmitter to provide statusinformation. The display can typically provide an indication of thepresent level and rate of the warning and electrical stimulus, and canalso denote the battery status.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 in which a portable transceiverdevice 200 includes an LCD screen 202 to provide a display of statusinformation which can include battery life, correction level and rate.The device is in communication with the receiver 100 to interrogate thereceiver and to receive the requested status information. Statusinformation may also be provided by a palm type data device which is incommunication with the collar receiver either directly or via aninterface.

Communication between the collar receiver and the remote device can beby many different forms of wireless communication including RF andinfrared. In addition to display of current system status, data can beprovided representing system history which can be displayed forimmediate reading and/or stored for later display or printout.

The invention is not to be limited by the preferred embodimentsdescribed and is to embrace the full spirit and scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. For use in a pet containment system having atransmitter driving an antenna which defines a boundary, and a receiverworn by the pet and operative in response to electromagnetic energyreceived from the antenna to provide one or more warning indications tothe pet that it is too close to the boundary, an automatic adaptivecorrection method comprising the steps of: establishing a firstcorrection level at the receiver for providing at least one stimulus ofa first level; setting a timer in the receiver to define a predeterminedtime period; monitoring the receipt of a detection signal indicative ofthe conduct of the pet by the receiver; if a detection signal isreceived within the predetermined time period, increasing the firstcorrection level and at least one stimulus by a specified amount; and ifno detection signal is received and no stimulus is provided within thepredetermined time period, decreasing the first correction level by aspecified amount.
 2. The method of claim 1 including the step ofestablishing a maximum correction level at the receiver.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the at least one stimulus includes an audiblewarning.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the audible warning includes avoice command.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one stimulusincludes an audible warning and an electrical stimulus.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein increasing the correction level of the audible warningcomprises adjustment of one or more of the intensity, rate and pitch ofthe audible sound.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein increasing thecorrection level of the electrical stimulus comprises adjustment of theintensity of the electrical stimulus.
 8. The method of claim 1 furtherincluding the step of displaying an indication of the status of currentcorrection levels.
 9. An adaptive animal containment system comprising:a transmitter coupled to an antenna which defines a boundary; a receiveradapted to be worn by an animal and operative to receive electromagneticenergy from the antenna; the receiver being operative in response to apredetermined proximity to the antenna to provide a warning signal or astimulus signal to the animal; an automatic correction system in thereceiver and including: memory apparatus for storing data representativeof the conduct of the animal; a timer for defining a predetermined timeperiod; and circuitry operative, in response to the receipt of adetection signal indicative of the conduct of the animal from thereceiver within the predetermined time period, to increase a correctionlevel by a specified amount, the circuitry being further operative, inthe event no detection signal is received and no warning or stimulussignal is provided within the predetermined time period, to decrease thecorrection level by a specified amount.
 10. The system of claim 9including: a second timer for defining a buffer time period; thecircuitry being operative to adjust the correction level by one step atthe end of the buffer period in the event one or more detection signalsare received during the buffer period.
 11. An adaptive animalcontainment system comprising: a transmitter coupled to an antenna whichdefines a boundary; a receiver adapted to be worn by an animal andoperative to receive electromagnetic energy from the antenna; thereceiver being operative in response to a predetermined proximity to theantenna to provide a warning signal or an electrical stimulus to theanimal at selected correction levels; an automatic correction system inthe receiver and including: memory apparatus for storing datarepresentative of the conduct of the animal and a protocol for providingwarning signals or electrical stimuli to the animal in accordance withthe stored data representative of animal conduct; and circuitryoperative, in response to the stored data and the protocol and adetection signal indicative of the conduct of the animal received withina predetermined time period, to increase at least one of the selectedcorrection levels by a specified amount, the circuitry being furtheroperative, in the event no detection signal is received and no warningsignal or stimulus is provided within the predetermined time period, todecrease the selected correction level by a specified amount.
 12. Foruse in a pet containment system having a transmitter driving an antennawhich defines a boundary, and a receiver worn by the pet and operativein response to electromagnetic energy received from the antenna toprovide one or more warning indications to the pet that it is too closeto the boundary, an automatic adaptive correction method comprising thesteps of: storing one or more correction protocols in a computer memoryassociated with the receiver; establishing a base correction level atthe receiver for providing at least one stimulus of a base level;establishing a maximum correction level at the receiver for providing atleast one stimulus of a maximum level; monitoring the receipt ofdetection signals by the receiver indicative of the conduct of the pet,the detection signals being received within a predetermined time period;increasing the correction level in response to the detection signals anda stored protocol and stored data representative of the conduct of thepet; and in the event no detection signals are received and no stimulusis provided within the predetermined time period, decreasing thecorrection level in accordance with the stored protocol.
 13. The methodof claim 12 wherein a plurality of correction protocols are stored andwherein each one of the plurality of correction protocols is userselectable.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the automatic correctioncan be enabled and disabled by a user.
 15. For use in a pet containmentsystem having a transmitter driving an antenna which defines a boundary,and a receiver worn by the pet and operative in response toelectromagnetic energy received from the antenna to provide one or morewarning indications to the pet that it is too close to the boundary, anautomatic adaptive correction system comprising: a microcontrollercontaining at least one correction profile that includes the presentcorrection level, the previous correction level, the time elapsed sincethe last pet detection signal and the number of times the pet is tooclose to the boundary within a predetermined time period; and circuitryin the receiver operative, in response to the detection signal andoutput commands from the correction profile, to increase the correctionlevel in accordance with the correction profile, the circuitry beingfurther operative in the event no detection signal is received and thenumber of times the pet is too close to the boundary is zero within thepredetermined time period, to decrease the correction level inaccordance with the correction profile.
 16. The system of claim 15including: a display coupled to the receiver and operative to provideindications of system status; and a handheld device for providinginterrogating signals to the receiver and receiving from the receiversignal indications of system status, the device containing a display fordenoting system status.
 17. The system of claim 15 including: a displaycoupled to the receiver and providing indications of system status. 18.The system of claim 17 wherein the indications of system status includeindication of correction levels.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein thesetting step includes setting the timer in the receiver to define apredetermined time period between two successive boundary challenges bythe pet, wherein the monitoring step includes monitoring the receipt ofa first detection signal by the receiver, the first detection signalbeing indicative of a first boundary challenge by the pet, and whereinthe increasing step includes, if a second detection signal indicative ofa second boundary challenge by the pet is received within thepredetermined time period after the first boundary challenge by the pet,increasing the correction level and at least one stimulus by a specifiedamount.
 20. The system of claim 9 wherein the receiver is operative toreceive electromagnetic energy from the antenna in the form of adetected signal indicating a challenge to said boundary, wherein thememory apparatus is operative to store data representative of the numberof boundary challenges of the animal over a predetermined time period,wherein the time is operative to define said predetermined time periodbetween two successive boundary challenges, and wherein the circuitry isoperative, in response to the receipt of a detection signal from thereceiver indicative of a second boundary challenge by the animal withinthe predetermined time period after a first boundary challenge by theanimal, to adjust the correction level by a specified amount.
 21. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the receiver is operative to receiveelectromagnetic energy from the antenna indicative of a boundarychallenge, and wherein the memory apparatus is operative to store datarepresentative of the number of boundary challenges by the animal over apredetermined period of time, and a protocol for providing warningsignals or electrical stimuli to the animal in accordance with thestored data.
 22. The method of claim 12 wherein the monitoring stepincludes monitoring the receipt of detection signals the receiver, thedetection signals being representative of the pet challenging theboundary by being too close to the boundary, and wherein the adjustingstep includes adjusting the correction level in response to a storedprotocol and stored data representative of the number of boundarychallenges by the animal over a predetermined period of time.